Vianney named a Model School by National Institute

St. John Vianney High School was recently recognized with the prestigious designation as a “Model School” by the Gurian Institute on July 15 at the 12th Annual Gurian Summer Institute at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, CO. Vianney leadership was presented with the award by Michael Gurian, a New York Times bestselling author, educator and a foremost expert in the development of boys.

"There are so many young men who need a school environment like Vianney” Gurian said. “Boys need movement to keep their brains active, and Vianney certainly provides this in its classrooms. The  faculty serve as mentors and your leadership curriculum, rites of passage activities, and community service are sall important in helping young men find their purpose."

St. John Vianney High School became only the 10th school to be recognized as a model school in the country and the first in the state of Missouri.

“This elite designation recognizes St. John Vianney High School’s excellence in teacher professional development and school-wide implementation of brain-based strategies to promote the well-being and development of young men,” says Kelley King, associate director of the Gurian Institute.

Vianney received the “Model School” designation by meeting a series of requirements including in-depth professional development for all staff members, educating and engaging the parent community and implementing a wide array of boy-friendly strategies throughout the school and classrooms.

“Vianney, under the leadership of Dr. Dilg, is a fine example of a school that is committed to and excelling at educating and developing young men,” says King.

Members of the faculty were presented a plaque which reads: “St. John Vianney High School has met all requirements and is herein designated a Gurian Institute Model School. Congratulations for your excellent work in providing an educational environment in which every boy is given the opportunity to fulfill his own individual potential.”

This is the second academic honor the school has received in the last two years.  In the fall of 2012 Vianney was recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the Country for Academic Excellence.

Founded in 1996 by author and gender expert Michael Gurian, the Gurian Institute is committed to helping boys and girls reach their full potential by providing professional development that creates awareness on gender learning differences and trains teachers and parents about methods proven to increase student motivation, engagement, and achievement, teacher effectiveness and parent involvement.

Five of St. John Vianney’s faculty members are now certified trainers in brain based education.  Michael Gurian will be the keynote speaker at Vianney’s 6th Annual Academic Speaker Series on Friday, September 27, 2013.  For more information please contact Dr. Tim Dilg at tdilg@vianney.com.